New York Giants

3 Match-ups That Will Define Giants - Steelers Contest

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The match-up between the New York Giants (8-3) and Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5) is an interesting one. At the very least, both teams come into the game with question marks. And whichever team comes out on top, will have legitimized its playoff run. We will not bore you with the regular Ben Roethlisberger versus the Giants defense spin. Granted if he or Eli Manning get scorching hot, then that changes the dynamic of this game. Let’s take a look at three match-ups that will define this contest:

Jason Pierre-Paul versus Marcus Gilbert

This match-up pits the Giants top defensive lineman against the Steelers top offensive lineman. According to Pro Football Focus, Jason Pierre-Paul grades out to an (85.6) and the ninth rank as a edge defender. Marcus Gilbert has an (84.3), good for 14th among offensive tackles.

While Olivier Vernon has gotten most of the ink, JPP has been the glue for the Giants’ “D”. According to Giants.com, “Jason Pierre-Paul is the NFC Defensive Player of the Week coming off his career-high three sacks against the Browns. He also forced a fumble and returned another for a 43-yard touchdown. Pierre-Paul has six of the Giants’ 21 sacks during their six-game winning streak.”

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On the other side Gilbert has led the revitalized Steelers offense. “Make no mistake, right tackle Marcus Gilbert rounding into form after a midfoot/ankle injury has contributed to the run-game improvement. The whole line has been consistent the past two weeks, reducing penalties and giving Roethlisberger time in the pocket,” so says ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

May the better man win.

Janoris Jenkins versus Antonio Brown

Jenkins has been playing lights out defense of Big Blue. There w,as a hiccup last week, on and off the field, against the Browns Terrelle Pryor. Jenkins opened his mouth before and after the game, and it almost bit him.

Antonio Brown is the primary playmaker on the Steelers. But other than Brown, the Steelers receiving corps is barren. No disrespect, but Eli Rogers and Sammie Coates are not exactly Lynn Swan and John Stallworth. Coates has been dealing with a hand injury too.

Jenkins realizes the challenge he is in for, according to NJ.com on December 2, 2016.

“He’s a good receiver. He’s dynamic and he’s a playmaker,” Jenkins said. “That’s [Ben Roethlisberger’s] main guy and we’ve got to control him. … You just got to take to fundamentals and techniques. Just playing corner, guys like that, quick and shifty, got to get your hands on them and just play how you play.”

Sep 16, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) runs with the ball after making a catch during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo says that Jenkins will not be used exclusively against Brown. Flexibility is good, but Spags should ride the hot hand, since the supporting cast likely cannot take the Steelers to pay dirt.

Keenan Robinson versus Le’Veon Bell

The Giants rush defense has been much improved this season, and Bell is a challenge. The Steelers will undoubtedly try to establish the running game early. Unless we are misreading the situation, Pittsburgh will not gash the fifth ranked G-Men on the ground.

Bell leads NFL running backs with 57 receptions, despite missing three games due to suspension. He is one of the rare three-down backs in the league.

“[Bell is] a very talented player. He’s a big back with receiver-type skills. He has good vision and runs with patience. In two-minute, he’s a magnet for the ball. He does a good job getting the chains moving there and keeps them in favorable down and distances. He’s one of the best in the league at that position,” said Giants head coach Ben McAdoo this week.

But stuffing Bell at the point of attack gets the G-Men only so far. McAdoo hit the nail on the head with his “moving the chains” comment. Getting Bell is space will be an obvious game plan, and the Giants must be sure tacklers today.

Keenan Robinson has a mediocre 65.6 overall grade from PFF. His pass coverage grade (80.2) is in the upper third of linebackers. Robinson needs to come up big against Bell.